NOVEL WEB Chapter 635: Nick
Max followed Aria and Elias through the radiant, rune-lit streets of the floating city known as Bridge City—a name that made perfect sense the moment he stepped into it.
Suspended high above the Lower Domain, yet still beneath the grandeur of the Middle Domain, Bridge City served exactly as its name implied: a bridge between two vastly different worlds.
As Aria had explained, this city wasn't just a checkpoint or a transit hub; it was a symbol of unity between domains, governed by none other than the four major families of the Four God Nation.
Each family held sway over a quadrant of the city, maintaining a delicate balance of power, much like they did across the entire planet of Acaris—though, here, the scale was far more contained and manageable.
The walls were etched with protective runes that shimmered subtly with power, and grand spires reached toward the hollow sky above like monuments of ancient prestige.
As Max walked through the city's heart, he observed the people living here—not warriors or high-ranking guardians, but everyday men, women, and children. Market stalls bustled, laughter echoed in the air, and even schools stood at the corners of plazas.
Surprised by this contrast, Max had asked Aria why a place meant to be militarized felt so… normal. She told him that long ago, when the guardians were first established, Bridge City was designed as a forward command base, a bulwark against intrusions—whether from below or above.
But centuries passed, and those stationed here settled down. Branch families from the Four God Nation made it their permanent home, and the city's rigid, militaristic skeleton was slowly filled with the rhythm of civilian life.
It wasn't just a stronghold anymore. It had become a home. A haven in the sky. And despite its origins rooted in vigilance and war, it now pulsed with a quiet, peaceful energy that Max hadn't expected—but deeply respected.
Silus hailed from a prominent branch family of the Black Tortoise Nation—one that had long held the role of guardians assigned to the Lower Domain. This lineage of duty elevated his family above most ordinary branch families within the Black Tortoise Nation, granting them greater authority, respect, and recognition even among the elite.
Because of this elevated position, their standing in the kingdom's internal hierarchy placed them above individuals like Aria and Elias, who, while respected and powerful in their own right, came from more conventional backgrounds.
Yet, what truly allowed Silus to stand shoulder to shoulder with direct descendants of the main family—like Elias and Aria—was the fact that he was a one-star genius, one of the select few whose talents were so extraordinary they were handpicked to be nurtured within the main bloodline's core estate. It was a privilege not afforded to many.
Despite growing up in the Bridge City of the Wall of Divide, far from the bustling heart of the Black Tortoise Kingdom, Silus had earned a place among the chosen few allowed to live and train in the main family's stronghold.
This was a sacred tradition among all four great nations of the Four God Nation: even if someone was born within a divine family in the Bridge City, they were not automatically entitled to the full privileges of the main branch.
Only those who proved themselves—those with unmatched potential, divine comprehension, or monstrous talent—were accepted into the main family. The rest, regardless of birthright, remained in branch families, sometimes close to power, but never at the center of it.
Silus, however, was different. His strength and rank had carved him a place where few could follow.
"Elias, Aria... Where is Silus?" A commanding voice suddenly cut through the air, loud enough to catch the attention of everyone nearby.
Max turned alongside Aria and Elias to see a tall young man walking toward them, his presence confident, his tone casual yet entitled. He looked older than both Aria and Elias, with sharp eyes and a demeanor that suggested he was used to getting answers when he asked questions.
His gaze swept over them before focusing on the pair. "Where is Silus? I thought he went with you two?" he repeated, his brows furrowing ever so slightly.
Both Aria and Elias stiffened at the sight of the man, their expressions shifting—Aria's in particular darkening with a tinge of annoyance.
But she quickly gathered herself and replied with a cold tone, "We were supposed to leave with him, but he took off earlier than us. Hmph, I don't want to see him right now."
Her words were laced with disdain, and her eyes narrowed as she continued, "Because of him, we missed the opportunity we had in our hands." Her voice was frosty, betraying her frustration over the lost chance, likely a powerful inheritance or treasure they had aimed to secure.
The man—Nick—let out a low chuckle, clearly not surprised by this turn of events. "Ah, I see. So my little brother went on ahead. Must've been exploring whatever that ruin turned out to be," he said with a knowing nod, but he didn't mention that it was he who had sent Silus ahead of Aria and Elias on purpose.
He had planned it perfectly, wanting Silus to claim the treasures first without having to share anything with the other two geniuses of their nation. And judging by their glares, it looked like his plan had worked flawlessly.
Then, his gaze finally turned to Max, who stood silently between the two, his unique white hair and strange, red-pink eyes making him stand out like a beacon.
Nick's eyes narrowed slightly with a mixture of amusement and ridicule. "And who's this? A frog from the Lower Domain you picked up?" he sneered.
Elias stepped in quickly with a calm smile, his voice light but hiding sharpness underneath. "He's a servant we found recently in the Lower Domain. Nothing special." His lie was smooth, hiding the truth of Max's overwhelming strength and everything that had occurred in the Lower Domain behind an easy mask.
Meanwhile, Max simply stood silently, eyes slightly narrowed, watching and evaluating. He said nothing—but he remembered the name Nick. And just from this encounter alone, Max knew he'd cross paths with him again… probably not as allies.
"A servant, huh?" Nick sneered, though he didn't press further. It wasn't unusual. In fact, such arrangements were common in the Middle Domain, especially among guardians or elite families like theirs.
There had been countless occasions where someone was dispatched to the Lower Domain for a task—be it related to guarding, investigation, resource acquisition, or escort missions—and returned with one or two individuals as their personal attendants.
It was never illegal or questionable, as long as it followed the rules laid down by the Four God Nation.
The primary rule was simple: servitude had to be voluntary. No one was allowed to enslave or forcibly bind someone into service. The servant had to willingly follow the master, even if out of desperation or admiration.
Nick knew this well, and that's why he didn't find it strange that Elias had picked up someone from the Lower Domain.
Life in the Middle Domain was different. Geniuses here didn't spend their days idling—they were constantly pushing their limits, exploring ruins, refining techniques, battling other prodigies, or seeking deeper understanding of the laws.
With such a demanding lifestyle, there was hardly time for the mundane. That's where servants came in. They managed day-to-day tasks—cleaning, managing resources, acquiring special herbs or items, handling messages, or even maintaining residences while their masters were out on long excursions.
And in exchange, a servant gained more than just a roof and food. Most masters, especially if the servant showed potential, would pass on knowledge—help them adapt to life in the Middle Domain, share technique methods, explain the intricacies of inheritance and law comprehension, and even grant access to resources otherwise impossible to find in the Lower Domain.
It was, in many ways, a mutual deal. So to Nick, Max didn't stand out as anything unusual. Just another wild talent scooped up from the dirt.